Eurostyle is Paceline Products’ second take on chamois cream. While the blend does share some characteristics with their original blend, Chamois Butt’r, there are a few major differences.

The most noticeable difference is that Eurostyle is billed as a “European Cooling Formula.” This basically means that in addition to the traditional anti-friction properties of Chamois Butt’r, the blend also has a cooling/numbing/tingling effect.

The level of chill is actually quite high, more than almost any other brand we have tested. While it can be a bit too frigid on cold days, it is a godsend on scorching hot ones.

While not everyone is a fan of cooling creams, I tend to favor chamois creams with some cooling in it for two reasons: the cooling effect feels great on hot days and, more importantly, the menthol slightly numbs the skin. This increases the amount of time the cream is useful.

There is one other major difference I found with Eurostyle, one that requires a bit a primer…

In the early days of the “safety bicycle” cyclists had few options to turn to for riding gear. Wool panels stitched together made crude cycling shorts, but seams created sharp, uncomfortable spots on even short rides. Enter the chamois and invariably chamois cream.

Chamois leather was a natural choice to line early cycling shorts due to its unprecedented absorbency and non-abrasive properties. These early pads would virtually adhere to your backside, which left little room for friction and saddle sores to ruin your party.

The only problem with chamois leather was that, when washed, it would become dry and stiff. Original chamois creams were used to smooth and soften shorts back to their silky beginnings.

This history lesson is pertinent due to one major quality of Eurostyle – it has a tackier consistency that nearly adheres the chamois to your skin, just like the olden days. This is really a novel idea, nearly eliminating the potential for friction… with one caveat.

If the chamois is not in the right place to begin with (typically at the beginning of a ride), there will be some finagling with your dangling, so to speak. When the chamois is in the sweet spot, though, it simply fades away.

I found the best way to apply Eurostyle was 25% to the chamois and 75% to the skin. This made sure that the cream was hitting the desired areas, limiting the need to adjust things later on.

Despite their differences, Chamois Butt’r and Eurostyle were cut from the same cloth. This is evident in its scent. Both creams are very muted, borderlining on unscented. There are faint notes of ash and aloe that lead into grape soda, but most people won’t even notice.

The verdict: An old idea with a modern twist, Eurostyle has found a permanent place in my chamois cream arsenal.

One Response to “Eurostyle”

I’ve used the original Chamois Butt’r for years but was never completely happy with the consistency. I was skeptical that the ‘Eurostyle’ was just the same cream in a different container, that is not the case at all. The formula is much refined and improved, the cooling effect is just right and the consistency being less liquid is perfect for long rides–it doesn’t dissipate as fast as the original on hot days either. Eurostyle is now my standard cream.